Mumbai commuters have reservations about travelling plans

Many have received with some reservations the minister’s proposals

India’s Railway Budget 2015 is being looked at with curiosity, since no fare hikes or new trains have been announced.

However, every rail traveller is hoping for an improved travel experience after Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu proposed several initiatives for more amenities.

Many have reacted with some reservation over the minister’s proposals which they think is not too clear-cut or specific on several initiatives.

“Prabhu has spelt out many facilities to make Indian Railways modern, but I have my own doubts over implementation of these ideas since there is no increase in fares to raise revenue,” said Dr S.J. Garg, President of the Railway Passenger and Traffic Relief Association, a 100-yearold organisation.

Across the rail travelling community, the top priority has been to get more trains for the everincreasing passenger volumes, he said, “but this is missing altogether.”

Garg isn’t convinced with the oft-announced introduction of the air-conditioned suburban trains “which we opposed at the outset since it would carry only about 300-400 passengers as compared to the normal trains that carry over 4,000 commuters at a time.”

Despite the budget being a let-down on many fronts, Garg praised Prabhu as being the first and only railway minister who has indicated the significance of Indian Railways being environment-friendly since the trains use just one-sixth of the fuel burnt on the country’s road transport.

Concerned

commuter

Anil Shah who is on a rail committee of the Bharatiya Rail Pravasi Mahasangh expressed deep disappointment over the low priority given to safety issues.

Many suburban commuters were disappointed that Prabhu, who is from Mumbai and Maharashtra, has ignored the expectations of Mumbaikars.

For the young office-going public who are enjoying the benefits of Mumbai’s air-conditioned metro, “An AC train as announced by the minister is a good move provided the commuters can enjoy this comfort during this year and not hear about it again in the next rail budget,” said Ashwini S., who works in a bank.

“I’m glad the rail budget has given priority to safety of women on trains,” said Asha Kumar, employed in a private firm.

Meanwhile, Right To Information activist Anil Galgali said: “The budget has made fools of us, Mumbaikars. Air-conditined local trains is an old promise.”